Dean of Cob Replacement - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Mar 31, 2005

Dean of Cob Replacement

Date: Mar 31, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Dead as a Dog
"As a fly on the wall, I've heard a report that Marc Depree is the favorite for the new dean of CoB. We shall see..."

Lets see, if that happens, hell will have froze over, the sun will rise in the west and SFT is really Prince Charles in disguise.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

Hell has been frozen since the day the IHL announce SFT as USM President. So nothing should shock the USM community anymore. As far DePree, before you judge him maybe you should actually meet him. He's probably the brightest faculty member in that college. And his organizational skills are impeccable. I think he'd be a great Dean or President.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

It doesn't matter that the faculty don't care for him. All that matters is if SFT wants him to be dean, Depree will be dean.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

this would be good news for the college.

Might help the CoB get into shape.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

Just don't have "Take Your Dog to Work" Day.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

I have absolutely no personal knowledge of Marc Depree. None. Zip. Nada. I have absolutely no idea how he would run CoB if he were Dean. He might do an excellent job, as far as I know.

I do believe (to the point of saying "I am sure") that it would be one more disaster for the town-gown relationship if he were to be placed in such a visible position of authority. It would confirm the already too common perception that academicians are suspect, that they might have lots of book smarts but no "common sense."

I say this with no rancor and without taking any position on the underlying question of whether Depree was justified when he shot the dog at Canebrake. My point is that he is widely perceived as -- well -- really different from the rest of us. By "us", I am not just meaning business people, south Mississippians, dog lovers, Southerners, red-white-and-blue patriots -- I mean he is perceived as different from us earthlings. Rightly or wrongly (and I am not taking sides here) people who shoot at Labrador Retrievers are considered more than just a little bit "off."

Remember, I am not attacking Depree. I am not even talking about him, but about how I think he is perceived based on many conversations a few years back. Conversations with attorneys and barbers, white-collars and blue-collars. In civic clubs as well as hunting clubs. I never once heard anybody say, "Well I'd have done the same thing."

Maybe there were hundreds of folks who said such, but not one of them said it within my hearing.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

Dr. DePree is a great teacher and a fine man. If you knew him, you would stop making snide comments. Until you know what you're talking about, I suggest you stopt making stupid cracks about the best teacher I ever had at USM.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

From a distance the part I could not understand was why someone would carry a gun to jog in a gated community. That did seem strange.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

In these times I can understand why someone might carry a gun while jogging. You're totally unprotected...away from car/home...but I haven't seen that many vicious labs in my life.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Outside Observer
"In these times I can understand why someone might carry a gun while jogging. You're totally unprotected...away from car/home...but I haven't seen that many vicious labs in my life."

I run daily, often on country roads, and have been attacked by dogs on two occasions, once by a pack of them. The second time I sprayed an entire can of mace on the dogs with little effect. Now I carry a small 9mm pistol when I jog, and I'm licensed and trained to use it. I know nothing about the DuPree incident or whether he had justification for the shooting, but until you've been menaced and attacked by gnashing teeth while wearing skimpy running attire, don't be too quick to condemn his actions.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Lady Jogger
"I run daily, often on country roads, and have been attacked by dogs on two occasions, once by a pack of them. The second time I sprayed an entire can of mace on the dogs with little effect. Now I carry a small 9mm pistol when I jog, and I'm licensed and trained to use it. I know nothing about the DuPree incident or whether he had justification for the shooting, but until you've been menaced and attacked by gnashing teeth while wearing skimpy running attire, don't be too quick to condemn his actions."

Been there...understand completely.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

I've got the scars from a friendly lab to prove they do attack. The owner told me his "puppy" wouldn't hurt a soul while they were putting me in an abulance.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

Yep, that's the typical comment from dog owners as their "pet" is growling and baring its teeth at you. I was jogging in Hattiesburg years ago....through residential area across from campus...I heard this clicking sound...then growling...turned around and saw a dog bearing down on me...luckily a good sized limb was nearby...i was able to chase it back to its owners house where there was a big sign... Beware of Dog!

Date: Mar 31, 2005

A lot of the faculty in COB have the greatest respect for Dr. DePree. The people who don't like him seem to be the administrators and their toadies who thrive on backroom deals. Just think what might happen if he did become the Dean. No more backroom deals? Honesty with everyone? Maybe he would even look into some of the backroom deals that were made?Faculty could speak their mind without fear of retaliation? Rewards for performance?

By the way, if you want to know what happened with the dog attack, why don't you ask him? My guess is you don't care what happened or why as long as you can use it to attack him. I'm tired of jerks dragging this up and I'm sure he is, too.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

I have heard that another accounting professor got attached by a dog. Anyone hear this rumor or is it true? Maybe dogs just don't like accountants and mail carriers.

Been attacked by dogs more than once. If I have to choose between my safety and that of an animal, the dog loses. Sorry but the safety of a human's life is more important than the life of an animal.

Yes I have dogs and love them very much. Yes I would be upset if someone shot my dog. But I am not stupid enough to believe that my dogs would never hurt anyone. Even gentle dogs can harm a human and often the person doesn't have to do anything to cause the attack.

DePree it appears has been judged wrongly since I also hear from college-age students that have been in his classes that DePree is well respected, liked, very professional, and enjoyable in his classes.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

If I was so terrified of dogs attacking me while I ran, then I would find an indoor track. Dupree was totally outrageous in his attack on the lab puppy. I believe he shot him four times.

Then, I receive "crazy" newsletters in the mail at my home and unsolicited emails on my USM account at work from Dupree attacking the doctor who owned the dog. I just don't think you need a gun-totin', hot-head chairing the business department. But, I guess Dupree might be just the sort of rootin' tootin', red-blooded American male Shelby Thames is looking for.

Can anybody provide the URL to the online novel by Dupree?

Date: Mar 31, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Annie Oakley
"If I was so terrified of dogs attacking me while I ran, then I would find an indoor track. Dupree was totally outrageous in his attack on the lab puppy. I believe he shot him four times. Then, I receive "crazy" newsletters in the mail at my home and unsolicited emails on my USM account at work from Dupree attacking the doctor who owned the dog. I just don't think you need a gun-totin', hot-head chairing the business department. But, I guess Dupree might be just the sort of rootin' tootin', red-blooded American male Shelby Thames is looking for. Can anybody provide the URL to the online novel by Dupree?"

With all due respect, you have it completely back-asswards. These are public streets that we pay to build and maintain. We should feel free to walk or run on them without fear of being chased down and bitten by privately owned animals unattended by their irresponsible owners. My elderly parents are literally afraid to walk around the block for fear of being menaced by neighborhood dogs, and I assure you that they reside in one of the better neighborhoods in this city. It is the dogs which should be kept inside the house, inside a fenced yard, or on a leash. I own dogs, and in the interest of public safety and common courtesy, I keep them on my property unless I'm walking them, and then it's on a leash.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

I'm not sure anyone has posted in response to my earlier post, or not. Sure have been a lot of folks saying they would have shot the dog, I guess.

My point is that Dr. DePree is PERCEIVED in the community as a flake. Not that he is a flake. It is the perception that would fuel the flames of the stereotype that professors are airheads. Do we understand the distinction between perception and reality?

Internally, hiring Dr. Depree might be a great idea. Externally, it will be the source of a moderate amount of discussion around town. I say "moderate" because not that many people care about what happens within one college at USM. (Heck, not that many people even understand that a University is made up of multiple colleges.) What conversation is generated will be humorous in nature, and the faculty will be the butt of the jokes.

Here's a shock: hardly anybody pays close attention to anything. Think back to the lady that sued McDonalds when she burned herself with hot coffee. How often was she the butt of jokes? Or more often, the legal system was piloried. Anyone who actually was aware of the facts of that case should at least acknowlege that there was more to it that the public understood. But the public makes judgements on first impression and sound bites. (Doesn't "Economic Development" and "World Class" sound good? Well, they used to, anyway.) How many people keep up with "news" by listening to Jay Leno? Or Bill O'Reilly?

The public thinks that professors who live at Canebrake are suspect to begin with. People who jog are questionable. People who jog with guns are even more suspect, but especially people who jog with guns at Canebrake. People who shoot at dogs are suspect. People who shoot at one dog are more suspect. People who shoot at Labs are even more suspect. People who shoot at Labs that were described as "puppies" are dead in the water -- even if the damned dog was six years old and had qualified as a Shutzhund III. The magic words were "Lab puppy".

Oh nevermind. I suspect this whole thread is FUD anyway.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Student
"Dr. DePree is a great teacher and a fine man. If you knew him, you would stop making snide comments. Until you know what you're talking about, I suggest you stopt making stupid cracks about the best teacher I ever had at USM."

He is a first class academic advisor. That I can tell you with certainty. Available. Patient. Knowledgable.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Amanuensis
"I'm not sure anyone has posted in response to my earlier post, or not. Sure have been a lot of folks saying they would have shot the dog, I guess. My point is that Dr. DePree is PERCEIVED in the community as a flake. Not that he is a flake. It is the perception that would fuel the flames of the stereotype that professors are airheads. Do we understand the distinction between perception and reality? .... Oh nevermind. I suspect this whole thread is FUD anyway."

I understood exactly what you are saying and agree with your assessment of the possible response to a DePree COB deanship, without qualification. If you are referring to me with respect to the detour taken by this thread, I will not apologize for challenging the inane notion that those of us who enjoy outdoor exercise should cower indoors and give the streets and byways, for which we pay handsomely with our tax dollars, to unleashed dogs of any breed. That is as ridiculous a suggestion as I have seen posted to this list since its inception. Any responsible animal lover would protect his dogs and the public from harm by keeping them restrained at all times. In most major cities, this is the law.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

Lady Jogger--

Hold your horses. Calm down. I guess I jumped the gun on this one. I did not mean that dogs should be allowed to roam free. Yes, pet owners should protect their animals and others by keeping them on a leash, in a house, or in a fence.

However, I can't imagine that it is a good idea to brandish a gun in a neighborhood or anywhere for that matter. I spoke with friends who live in Canebrake about Marc Depree. He not only shot a dog; he would wave his weapon around at cars that travelled too closely as he ran.

You should be able to walk, run or prance down any public street. But, I still stand by my first statement. If you are afraid enough to not only carry a gun but actually shoot a puppy four times as Depree did, then maybe you need to do your running indoors.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

I live in Canebrake and I don't know who you talked to, but I used to see DePree running. I didn't even know he carried a gun. He did wave at me when I drove by. After what happened, the stories that got told were just outrageous. One lie fed on another. You might check your facts before you attack someone. People like you have done a lot of harm to an innocent and good man.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Annie Oakley
"Lady Jogger-- Hold your horses. Calm down. I guess I jumped the gun on this one. I did not mean that dogs should be allowed to roam free. Yes, pet owners should protect their animals and others by keeping them on a leash, in a house, or in a fence. However, I can't imagine that it is a good idea to brandish a gun in a neighborhood or anywhere for that matter. I spoke with friends who live in Canebrake about Marc Depree. He not only shot a dog; he would wave his weapon around at cars that travelled too closely as he ran. You should be able to walk, run or prance down any public street. But, I still stand by my first statement. If you are afraid enough to not only carry a gun but actually shoot a puppy four times as Depree did, then maybe you need to do your running indoors. "

Please accept my apology for anything I said that was intemperate or offensive. That was not my intent. With respect to the DePree shooting incident, I don't know the man, nor do I condone his conduct if it is/was as your friends describe. It sounds as though we're on the same page concerning responsible pet ownership, so I'll shut up and let this thread revert to its original topic.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Canebrake
"I live in Canebrake and I don't know who you talked to, but I used to see DePree running. I didn't even know he carried a gun. He did wave at me when I drove by. After what happened, the stories that got told were just outrageous. One lie fed on another. You might check your facts before you attack someone. People like you have done a lot of harm to an innocent and good man."

Dear Mr. Canebrake--I don't think that anyone who shoots a dog FOUR times is an innocent and good man. You must not have been on Depree's email or newsletter mailout when he was slandering Dr. Colthrop.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

I've lived in Canebrake for a number of years. The people I talked to said the only time anyone saw DePree was out running. I never heard anyone say he brandished a gun. I did hear some people say, "good for him. Enough people in the subdivision have been attacked by dogs." However, nobody wanted to deal with all the bad publicity that he was getting; so they kept their mouths shut in public.

Calling a dog a "puppy" to demonize someone you obviously don't know is meanspirited and irresponsible.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

At least he hits what he is aiming at.
Enough of the dog. Get back to the qualifications.
If he is qualified and SFT thinks he will be his man to run things, then who knows???

Date: Mar 31, 2005

Actually, I was. If DePree was slandering somebody, that's what courts are for. By the way, after talking to some of the neighbors I don't think DePree slandered anybody.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

I think the real problem would be getting him to give up teaching. Eveyone who has taken one of his classes knows how much he loves teaching. On the other hand, if he were dean maybe some of the people who work at the school would stop treating students like they were a burden.

Date: Mar 31, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: In the neighborhood
"Calling a dog a "puppy" to demonize someone you obviously don't know is meanspirited and irresponsible."

I've owned several Labs, including one who's presently a member of our household. Generally speaking, Labs display a sweet disposition, but when younger, they do enjoy chasing cars and people in motion, and barking loudly. What may seem playful to the dog may be perceived as naked aggression by a jogger. I would also point out that a 7 month old Lab may, by definition, be a puppy, but it still is a very large animal, weighing easily 50 pounds or more. Ours typically weigh upwards of 100 pounds at one year. If you're not familiar with the breed, I'd think it would be very easy for a walker or jogger to be intimidated, even terrified by a 50-100 pound animal in hot pursuit.